The International Women’s Day Committee runs a major event every March that hands out scholarships for women in the Illawarra community.
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It also supports many charities and this week made a special presentation at Big Fat Smile headquarters in Corrimal.
Discovering some additional funding the committee decided it wanted to support a program that has helped hundreds of women in recent years.
On Tuesday the committee gave $10,000 to a group for new mums that Grand Pacific Health runs with help of Big Fat Smile to help women suffering form postnatal depression.
Chair Vicki Tiegs and deputy chair Janine Cullen know PND is an important issue and how program provides fantastic support. They both understand the impact from family and friends having lived through the experience. “We think this is an extremely worth cause,” Mrs Cullen said.
Rebecca Sng, of Grand Pacific Health, said the initiative was part of a bigger program called Perinatal Mental Health which cares for mums from the time their child is born until they are five years old.
“The group is specifically for post natal depression. It is an eight session group based on acceptance and commitment therapy. It has some mindfulness and coping skills. Big Fat Smile do our child minding which is absolutely crucial.”
Big Fat Smile CEO Jenni Hutchins said it was really important to have a community approach to raising, caring and supporting children.
Kali Hurrell said she had never shown signs of anxiety and depression before having her daughter Grace five years ago. She said the group was an amazing help and made her feel not alone.